Iraqi Shiite militia commander and strongman Abu Azrael, or “father of the Angel of Death,” taped a message from Fallujah addressed to both the enemies and friends of Iran. The clip was posted by an Iranian hardline and pro-Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) media outlet on June 4.
His bandana bears the inscription, “313 Ansar al Hojja.” Ansar al Hojja is a group formed by Iraqi Shiites in June 2014 following the Islamic State’s takeover of nearly one third of Iraq. The number 313 alludes to Shiite traditions that when the Mahdi first arrives, he will only have 313 supporters. An IRGC fighter embedded with Iraqi forces near Fallujah also donned the same bandana.
Beaming with smile, Abu Azrael addresses the camera:
“Let’s piss these losers off a little bit [lit. press the tired ones a little bit] Iran, Iran. By God, you’ve killed us with [talking about] Iran. Now, if the vehicles didn’t come from Iran, you’d sit down. May God recompense them.
Let’s press them a little bit…[Switches to Farsi] I am the killer of DAISH [pejorative for the Islamic State] for the Imam of the Age Mahdi (blessings upon him).
May God Bless Mohammad and the Family of Mohammad, and hasten their deliverance and curse their enemies.
Build up the honor of Fatima al-Zahra’ and bless Muhammad and the Family of Mohammad.
May God Bless Mohammad and the Family of Mohammad, and hasten their deliverance and curse their enemies.
O Lord, hasten deliverance to your vicar and make us his champions, his army and his aids, by Mohammad and the Family of Mohammad.
Bless Mohammad and the Family of Mohammad.
May God Bless Mohammad and the Family of Mohammad, and hasten their deliverance and curse their enemies.
My salutations. Keep on talking, as you wish.”
Abu Azrael is a commander in the Iranian-backed Imam Ali Brigade, which is part of the Popular Mobilization Forces. Also known as “Rambo,” the black-bearded, sword-wielding fighter became a celebrity after the incursion of Islamic State. Some have described him as the “embodiment of the retribution many Iraqis want against brutal jihadists who seized swathes of their country.” According to Agence Press France, part of Abu Azrael’s celebrity appeal is his weapons: photos of him resting an axe on his shoulder or holding a sword are widely shared on social media. He gained notoriety after footage of him hacking the burned body of an Islamic State fighter went viral last year.
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2 Comments
Hopefully more will rally behind him and put these ISIS fools in the ground, save the rest of decent society the trouble time and resources.
Another Shiite Extremsit that needs to be put down with vigour.